This is one of my favorite shots of the OTAs to date, taken as the team stretched out prior to the practice session. Some of the coaches stroll through the players as they warm up, engaging in conversation. But looking at Bill Johnson standing on the FieldTurf surface about 50 yards from the players, I couldn’t help but notice how intently he watched his defensive linemen prepare. With the blocking sled in place, it’s as if he’s thinking, “I’m ready when you are, guys — let’s hurry up and get this thing started!”
And really, could you blame him for feeling that way? Three of the Broncos’ four picks over the first four rounds of the draft are under his jurisdiction. He’s helping a cadre of returning veterans adjust to Jim Bates’ new defensive scheme. There’s a lot Johnson and his fellow defensive coaches want to impart, and only eight more OTAs and three mini-camp days left in which to do it.
“We’re putting in quite a few defenses,” defensive tackle Gerard Warren said. “Coach (Bates) expects us to pick them up fast and keep it moving.”
And the movement won’t stop for the four-day Memorial Day weekend respite the players receive. “(Bates) told us to take those playbooks home and make sure we stay polished up for the next camp,” Warren said.
Anyhow, today was fairly quiet. Wide receiver Glenn Martinez was held out of practice, as he has been throughout the week. Head Coach Mike Shanahan is not scheduled to speak again until Thursday morning; he talks with the media at the end of the first and last practices of each week.
Pictures are below, so enjoy …
… More to come in the notebook over on the main site later today, as well as video of Dre’ Bly and Kenard Lang talking with reporters after the session. Until later, sayonara from the south suburbs of Denver.
Tags: Bill Johnson, Brian Clark, Darrell Hackney, David Terrell, Domenik Hixon, Dre Bly, Glenn Martinez, Hamza Abdullah, Javon Walker, Jay Cutler, Mike Bell, Organized Team Activities, OTAs, Patrick Ramsey, Quentin Harris
Rack ‘em!
Solid stuff AM, as always….
In the limited time you get to watch practice has anything intriguing caught your eye???
TSG
http://www.milehighreport.com
[...] Day One, Day Two, Day Three, Day Four, Day Five, Day Six [...]
Well, Domenik Hixon looks very smooth and fluid … Daniel Graham is even more physically imposing in uniform than in a suit … D.J. Williams looks to have complete command of proceedings when he leads the team in pre-practice stretching, and is showing a side of his personality that those outside of the locker room were not aware existed … and the defensive linemen — and especially rookies Jarvis Moss, Tim Crowder, Marcus Thomas and Steven Harris — always seem to be the last players off the field at the end of each session.
Damn good pictures again, the Abdullah & Bly snapshot was perfect timing by yourself too Mr Mason!
Peace…
Awsome pics Mason!
i like what im seeing from our recievers good crop of young and veteran WR
hope the camps go well and good luck to the coaches
My question for you is about Jay. Teams usually go as far as their quaterback can take them. (Usually). I love Cutler but how has he been looking to you and has anything stood out the last couple of weeks to you.. Keep up the great work…..Out